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Speaking about his time at Argyle, Barnes told Herald Sport: "I went to Torquay but that was a loan that was full of false hope. It helped to make me a better player. I ended that quite quickly.

"Eastbourne Borough was the one for me, it was an amazing time and I was playing for a little bit under Paul Sturrock before I started to go on loan and there was another change in manager when Paul Mariner came in.

"That was one person’s opinion, he didn’t rate me and didn’t think that I was right for football, but you look where I am now.

"I think I have proved him wrong, that is for sure."

Paul Mariner was in charge of Argyle when they were relegated from the Championship in 2010 (Image: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)

Barnes revealed that he used Mariner's rejection as extra motivation to prove himself.

He was disappointed by Mariner's opinion, especially as he was a prolific goalscorer during his playing days.

"Of course (I used it as motivation), especially because Paul Mariner was a striker as well. But for one reason or another, he didn’t fancy me," said Barnes.

"But like I said that is just one guy's opinion but a few managers I had there before him thought highly of me and they helped me when I was there and helped me improve as a player.

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"Unfortunately, because one person came in, it didn’t quite happen like that, but that is part and parcel of football and when you are young you need to learn, you need to grow up and you need to find your feet.

"I knew with Mariner coming in and the situation that I wasn’t going to get much game time and I went on loan to Eastbourne and then I came back before going to Brighton on loan."

Barnes moved to Brighton on loan in March 2010 and scored four goals in eight games for the club.

Former Argyle striker Ashley Barnes has been with Burnley since January 2014 (Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

That was enough to impress manager Gus Poyet to try and make the move permanent in the summer.

By that time Peter Reid had replaced Mariner as boss, with Argyle having been relegated to League One.

Money troubles were rife and the club had little option but to cash in on Barnes when Brighton came calling.

"Gus Poyet was looking for a striker and luckily enough I was available," said Barnes.

"He is another one I have to thank for allowing me to move on and to find my own two feet at Brighton."

After four years at Brighton, Barnes was signed by Burnley in January 2014 and that is where he still plays to this day.

This season the former Pilgrim has scored seven goals from 32 appearances in all competitions and with Burnley seventh in the Premier League table, a place in Europe next season isn't totally out of the question.